The new donor wall is located in the “donor corridor” across from the retail store at the National Museum of the Pacific War. — Submitted photo

The Admiral Nimitz Foundation unveiled its new cumulative-giving donor wall in the George H.W. Bush Gallery, Friday, Aug. 29, as a way to recognize those who have annually supported the museum and the foundation.

The new addition is located next to the Japanese midget submarine in what is now the donor corridor, across from the retail store inside the gallery.

“Locals and many others outside the area have been extremely important in the growth of this museum and we wanted to ensure they were recognized for the generous giving in support of our mission statement to inspire our youth by honoring our heroes,” said Brandon Vinyard, director of marketing and public relations for the foundation. “Without their support, we would still be that small museum in the hotel on Main Street.”

The new donor wall is located in the “donor corridor” across from the retail store at the National Museum of the Pacific War.— Submitted photo

The Admiral Nimitz Foundation unveiled its new cumulative-giving donor wall in the George H.W. Bush Gallery, Friday, Aug. 29, as a way to recognize those who have annually supported the museum and the foundation.

The new addition is located next to the Japanese midget submarine in what is now the donor corridor, across from the retail store inside the gallery.

“Locals and many others outside the area have been extremely important in the growth of this museum and we wanted to ensure they were recognized for the generous giving in support of our mission statement to inspire our youth by honoring our heroes,” said Brandon Vinyard, director of marketing and public relations for the foundation. “Without their support, we would still be that small museum in the hotel on Main Street.”

Artist Jeff Gottfried presents the Bonham Trophy to Governor Rick Perry. The trophy, modeled after James Bonham, will be exchanged after every football game between Texas A&M and the University of South Carolina. — Submitted photo

By Austin R. Eck

James Bonham, a South Carolina-born lawyer, rode on horseback through the lines of the Mexican Army to deliver a letter to Texas revolutionaries in the Alamo.

His ride has been immortalized in history, and now it will be immortalized in bronze. Bonham serves as the namesake of the new trophy that will be exchanged between two governors and college football programs.

Bonham survived his ride to deliver a letter saying help was on the way, but on March 6, 1836, he died during the battle of the Alamo.

Tomorrow, Texas A&M University and University of South Carolina will do battle of a different type. Both schools open their football season with a game in Columbia, South Carolina. The game will be the first time the two schools have played each other.

As man looks to the heavens, he is able to see his small place in the endless universe. One man with an observatory northwest of Fredericksburg is peering into the skies to see the vastness that man is only beginning to understand.
Ken Kattner is a business attorney by day and amateur astronomer by night. From his Putman Mountain Observatory, he scans and records the universe — from supernovas to far-off galaxies — and documents his findings on a website that also serves as a weather station for local agriculture producers. He has invested a considerable amount of time and effort in his home to help him record events in the skies.

His interest in astronomy began in high school, but was interrupted by college and career.

Harvey Schmidt, who wrote the music for “The Fantasticks” shares a laugh with Jeryl Hoover, founder of the Fredericksburg Theatre Company, prior to the opening performance of the play on Thursday, Aug. 7. — Standard-Radio Post/Ken Esten Cooke.

A smile slowly emerges on Turk’s face as he removes a strawberry from his plate and holds it for Dixie to nibble.

Dixie, a four-year-old Chihuahua, seems more than happy to eat a piece of the berry and visit with her 75-year-old friend. While Chihuahuas can be energetic and loud, Dixie was calm during her visit with Turk.

Turk has lived in Fredericksburg for five years and is in hospice care at a local nursing home. For some nursing home residents, visits from friends or relatives can be a rare occasion. Having a visit from a small, friendly dog can be the encouragement patients need as they deal with their circumstances.

Dixie’s owner is Phyllis Ludwig, who lives in Rockwall, Texas. Ludwig said she first decided to get into “pet therapy” when caring for her brother, who’d suffered a brain injury.

Ninety-seven members attended the 14th reunion of the Alfred and Martha Moritz Reeh family on Saturday, July 26, at St. Joseph’s Halle.

During the reunion, family members enjoyed a social, silent auction, cake walk and door prizes.

The Alvin Reeh family donated two prizes, a $50 Smitten gift card, which was won by Hannah Moellendorf, great-granddaughter of Lydia Reeh Seelig while James and Amanda Rakowitz, grandson of Alvin Reeh, donated a bottle of wine with electric cork remover that was won by Edward Gold, grandson of Margie Reeh Duecker.

The Margie Reeh Duecker family donated a $50 HEB card that was won by Tana Lux, great-granddaughter of Lydia Reeh Seelig.

A $50 Opa’s gift card donated by the Vera Reeh Becker family was won by Donna Chase, a friend of David Ransleben, son of Mildred Reeh Ransleben.

Fredericksburg Chorale will begin rehearsals for the 2014-15 season on Monday, Aug. 18, at Bethany Lutheran Church.

Rehearsals are held every Monday from 7-8:30 p.m. in the church’s music room.

The Fredericksburg Chorale, under the direction of Mark Hierholzer, is open to all interested singers without audition.

Membership fees are $55 for adults and $25 for students for each semester, which run August through December and January through May.

Scholarships are available.

The Fredericksburg Chorale presents three concerts a year. Scheduled performances include a Christmas concert on Saturday, Dec. 6; the Mid-Winter Concert on Saturday, Feb. 7, and a Spring Concert on Saturday, May 16.

The chorale will begin working on music for the Christmas concert, including Bach’s Cantata, “For Unto Us A Child Is Born,” several Renaissance Christmas pieces and a Cantata based on “The First Noel” by Hierholzer.